- Grok Bot now allows users to make calls to U.S. business numbers.
- Users can make calls through Grok Bot and receive real-time transcripts.
- The calling feature has been launched in a preview version and is now available to all users.
- Each call must self-identify as a virtual assistant and warn that it may be recorded.
Elon Musk is promoting a feature for Grok Bot users that, until this week, was only accessible to a limited number of users. "Try asking Grok @Bot to make a call!" Musk wrote on X Tuesday afternoon, quoting a demonstration by Sawyer Merritt that included audio from a live call. Musk first announced the calling feature on October 25, stating that the agent could "call you or contact businesses on your behalf, make requests, record responses, and send you a summary."
At that time, there were no release notes, and the feature was only available in the preview version. This changed on Tuesday, as creator Peter Yang indicated that all Grok Bot users should now be able to make calls to U.S. business numbers. Musk retweeted his demonstration.
Demonstration of Grok Bot's Calling Feature
Yang's call showcased the power of the feature. In his video, the robot called Comcast, navigated the phone menu, and deflected small talk about the weather with "I don't look at the sky," declined three upsells, and used a cheaper fiber offer from competitor Sonic as leverage. His bill dropped from US$84 (approximately HK$655) to US$45 (approximately HK$351), saving nearly US$500 (approximately HK$3,900) annually. The call lasted about 25 minutes, with the robot pausing for Yang's approval before accepting the final terms. Merritt described what users see during the call: there is a real-time transcript, and when the business asks a question the robot cannot answer, a response box pops up in the chat window for the user to input a reply,
which Grok then relays to the other party on the call.
Other users also shared their results on Tuesday, including a US$100 (approximately HK$780) gift card received after a 51-minute call with Verizon Fios, as well as a pediatric appointment made that day, both of which were retweeted by Musk. However, not every call was successful. One user reported that a customer service representative refused to cancel a subscription after realizing it was an AI call.
Usage Restrictions of the Calling Feature
The terms for Grok Bot require that each call must self-identify as a virtual assistant calling on behalf of the user and warn that the call may be recorded. Marketing, mass calling, and impersonation are prohibited, and currently, calls are only applicable to U.S. numbers. The timing is particularly noteworthy. Just days ago, users began hitting their weekly usage limits early, while Musk indicated that the cost of providing Grok Bot relative to revenue was "unsustainable." A call that spends most of its time waiting on hold for 25 or 50 minutes is a long-running task that impacts usage, and SpaceXSI has not clarified how calls are counted within the weekly usage pool.
Grok Bot is included in the monthly US$30 (approximately HK$234) The X subscription premium plan. For Tesla owners, the agent has been enabled in their vehicles since September 22 and is available in every Cybercab and Model Y Robotaxi. Musk has promoted it for phone tasks, such as removing your number from spam lists. Tesla and SpaceXSI have not confirmed whether the robot can make calls for requests within the vehicle.
Impact and Challenges of Grok Bot's Calling Feature
The calling feature of Grok Bot marks a significant advancement in the use of artificial intelligence for business communications, enabling users to handle phone tasks more efficiently. This technology not only saves users time and money but also enhances the customer service experience. However, the usage restrictions and self-identification requirements for calls highlight the need for careful consideration of legal and ethical issues when promoting such technologies. Additionally, the cost and revenue concerns mentioned by Musk reflect the sustainability challenges of this technology in commercial operations.